Day Out: Bugline Trail great for a fall ride in Waukesha County
Wisconsin is full of terrific state parks, forests and trails. But with so many great state properties, it's easy to overlook good local ones.
That includes Waukesha County's Bugline Trail, a 14-mile trail from Menomonee Falls to Merton that recently received a paved face-lift.
The $2.4 million project began in 2012 and included widening the trail to 10 feet from 8 and paving the crushed limestone surface in three sections: 3.6 miles from Fireman's Park in Merton to Highway 164, 8 miles from there to Menomonee Falls and next year a 2.4-mile segment from Merton to North Lake. The first segment was completed in 2013 and the second segment was finished Sept. 26.
'The goal of the project was to make the trail more accessible and to encourage residents to be more active by using the trail,' said Ginny Bocek, park programs specialist with Waukesha County Parks.
The mild weather after the trail re-opened provided an excellent chance for area residents to get out and try it.
'Everybody has been out enjoying it and loving it. They're very glad that it's paved,' Bocek said, adding that she even heard from someone who initially opposed the paving but is now happy to see more people out enjoying the trail.
The park system hopes to create more trails like the Bugline connecting towns and local businesses. A recent grant to create another trail corridor will help with that.
Route: Fireman's Park on the trail's western end in Merton is a good western launch point for a trip along the trail.
The Bugline Trail follows the former route of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. An early passenger on the train remarked how it seemed like a bug following a grapevine. The nickname Bug Line stuck, eventually condensing to Bugline.
The beautiful paved route travels through tree canopies — gorgeous this time of year — past parks, farm fields and a couple of working quarries. The western portion is more rural — passing through the small towns of Merton and Lisbon — while the eastern portion will take you through Sussex, Lannon and the more-suburban Menomonee Falls.
The trail also passes over a number of wooden bridges, including a large one over the Bark River east of Merton.
There is no official eastern trailhead in Menomonee Falls, but there is off-street parking around the trail's end near Appleton Ave.
Difficulty level: Like most rails-to-trails routes, the Bugline follows a mostly level grade, which combined with the new paving makes for an easy ride for all bikes and abilities.
When to go: Fall is a great time to take in the changing leaves on this trail. And with many tree corridors providing ample shade, the trail also makes for a nice summer ride.
The trail is a popular snowmobile corridor in the winter and is not plowed for bikes.
While you're there: Pick up some pumpkins for carving and navigate your way through a flight-themed corn maze at Homestead Animal Farm, W320-N9127 Highway 83, Hartland. The farm also includes a petting zoo and hayrides. (262) 966-3840, homesteadanimalfarm.com.
Treat yourself to some creamy custard after a ride at Pop's Custard, N87-W16459 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls. Add a jumbo butter burger if you're feeling extra hungry. (262) 251-3320, popscustard.com
Getting there: Access to the Bugline Trail's western end is available at Fireman's Park on Highway VV in Merton, about 25 miles northwest of Milwaukee via I-94 and Highway 164.
More information: The trail is free to use. For more on the Bugline Trail, call (262) 548-7801 or click here.
Published: Oct. 3, 2014